The Democrats take control
Nancy Pelosi is two heartbeats away from the presidency (one with a bad ticker), and Rep. John Murtha is promising extensive hearings on the Iraq War. Is this the new day in America we've been waiting for? We don't know for sure, yet, but President Bush won't be budging an inch, you can bet on that.The prez was humiliated at the polls, but this is how he has responded: He prepares a plan to add 20,000 troops on the ground in Iraq, rejecting an exit plan by old pal James Baker designed to help him save face, and he follows up his illegal wiretapping of Americans by claiming new powers to open our mail without a judge's warrant. That's going to be one hell of a State of the Union on January 23rd. Only one thing will make it more interesting.
Speaking of Baker, it's now worth noting that "moderates" Joe Lieberman and John McCain are now firmly to the right of the former Secretary of State on the Iraqi issue, both far to the right of the country at large. On a day in which "bipartisanship" was the watchword in Washington, it's important to point out that a mainstream, consensus political party already exists in the United States-- it's called the Democratic Party.
CNN poll results testify: (favor/oppose/no opinion)
Allowing the government to negotiate with drug companies to attempt to lower the price of prescription drugs for some seniors: 87/12/1
Raising the minimum wage: 85/14/1
Cutting interest rates on federal student loans: 84/15/1
Creating an independent panel to oversee ethics in Congress: 79/19/2
Making significant changes in U.S. policy in Iraq: 77/20/3
Reducing the amount of influence lobbyists have in congressional decisions: 75/21/4
Implementing all of the anti-terrorism recommendations made by the 9/11 Commission: 64/26/10
Maintaining the current Social Security system to prevent the creation of private investment accounts: 63/32/6
Funding embryonic stem cell research: 62/32/5
Let's all be careful not to fall into the trap of the "mainstream" press, confusing "bipartisanship" with denying the will of the people.
posted by CM @ 6:41 PM
3 Comments:
CM, don’t get too excited about the Dems sweeping to power. I won’t guarantee it, but I will predict that there will be an increase in the number of US troops in Iraq this year and no reductions below current troop levels until after 2008. Watch for this as ironic post election proof that it really does not matter which party is in office in the USA. It might however count as a significant change in policy. TA
It's a distinct possibility that the war will escalate. Pelosi may be opposed to that, but Harry Reid has said he wouldn't rule out "short-term" surges in troop levels.
If you can't be optimistic on the first day, though, when can you be.
Pelosi has twice the cash as Edwards. They laugh at Chris because they know they have fooled him.
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